The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, often referred to as the RCPCH, is the professional body for paediatricians (doctors specialising in child health) in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. It is responsible for the postgraduate training of paediatricians and conducts the Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) exams. It also awards the Diploma in Child Health (DCH), which is taken by many doctors who plan a career in general practice. Members of the college use the postnominal initials 'MRCPCH' while Fellows use 'FRCPCH'.

History

The United Kingdom's first national group of paediatricians was established in 1928 as the British Paediatric Association or BPA. Its first president was George Frederic Still. The BPA's initial aims were the advancement of the study of paediatrics and the promotion of friendship amongst paediatricians. Most paediatricians also belonged to the

Royal College of Physicians The Royal College of Physicians of London, commonly referred to simply as the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), is a British professional membership body dedicated to improving the practice of medicine, chiefly through the accreditation of ph ...

and took the examination MRCP(Paeds). The BPA was granted

royal college Medical royal college, In the United Kingdom, some Commonwealth realms and Ireland, a professional body responsible for the development of and training in one or more medical specialties. Royal College may also refer to: Places * Royal College S ...

status in August 1996. The MRCP(Paeds) exam was replaced by the MRCPCH in 1999. The College's official journal, the

Archives of Disease in Childhood ''Archives of Disease in Childhood'' is a peer review, peer-reviewed medical journal published by the BMJ Group and covering the field of paediatrics. It is the official journal of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Scope ''Archi ...

, was founded in 1926. The RCPCH's first home was in Hallam Street,

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

. On 21 March 2008 the College moved to new premises at 5-11 Theobalds Road, London, where it is still based.

Aims of the College

The RCPCH's stated aim is to 'transform child health through knowledge, innovation and expertise'.RCPCH website http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/what-we-do In practice it has a number of roles: * Postgraduate training for paediatricians: the RCPCH defines the paediatric curriculum, advises Local Education and Training Boards and records and monitors trainees' progress from entry to specialist training to achieving the

certificate of completion of training The Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) is the certificate that medical doctors in the United Kingdom receive to indicate that they have completed training in their chosen specialty and are therefore eligible for entry onto the specialis ...

(CCT). * Running examinations: both the MRCPCH, considered an essential qualification for British paediatricians, and the DCH, a qualification in child health for non-paediatricians. * Provides courses and e-learning resources. * Campaigns to improve child health nationally and globally. * Organises research conferences, notably the RCPCH Annual Conference. * Publishes the

, a peer-reviewed journal of paediatrics. * Develops clinical guidelines and standards. The college works closely with other bodies, including the

Department of Health (United Kingdom) The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is a Departments of the Government of the United Kingdom, ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for government policy on health and adult social care mat ...

, the Local Education and Training Boards, the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board, the

General Medical Council The General Medical Council (GMC) is a public body that maintains the official register of physician, medical practitioners within the United Kingdom. Its chief responsibility is to "protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the pu ...

, the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS), the

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care. As the national health technology assessment body of England, it is responsible for j ...

(NICE), children's charities and the other medical royal colleges.

Fellowship

Senior doctors who have completed paediatric training can apply for Fellowship of the RCPCH, after which they can use the letters FRCPCH.

Coat of arms

The

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...

of the college commemorate June Lloyd, first female President of the British Paediatric Association and Thomas Phaire, whose ''Boke of Chyldren'' from 1545 was the first book on paediatrics in

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

. The crest is a baby, taken from the arms of the

Foundling Hospital The Foundling Hospital (formally the Hospital for the Maintenance and Education of Exposed and Deserted Young Children) was a children's home in London, England, founded in 1739 by the philanthropy, philanthropic Captain (nautical), sea captain ...

Coram's Fields Coram's Fields is a seven acre urban open space in the King's Cross, London, Kings Cross area of the London Borough of Camden. Adults are only permitted to enter if accompanied by children. History The park is situated on the former site ...

List of presidents of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

The President is the elected head of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

British Paediatric Association

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

References

RCPCH annual conferenceProfessor Steve Turner elected as new RCPCH President 2024

Become an RCPCH memberCourses and events at RCPCH

External links

* {{Coord, 51.52071, -0.11583, region:GB_type:landmark, display=title Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 1928 establishments in the United Kingdom Health in the London Borough of Camden Medical associations based in the United Kingdom Organisations based in the London Borough of Camden Paediatrics and Child Health Paediatrics in the United Kingdom Pediatric organizations